Depending on the set temperature in the cabin, the air passing through the air conditioner cooler is cooled or heated in the heater radiator. In cars with a diesel engine, an additional heater is installed to increase the temperature of the coolant.
The heater radiator is heated by hot coolant. The air heated in the heater radiator is supplied to the passenger compartment.
The temperature of the air supplied to the passenger compartment is regulated by mixing fresh outside air and air heated in the heater using air distribution flaps.
All air distribution flaps are driven by small electric motors.
Air is removed from the passenger compartment through ventilation openings on both sides of the rear bumper.
If, for example, due to pollution of the outside air it is necessary to switch off its intake, then the air recirculation mode can be maintained in the car interior, switched on by the corresponding button. In this case, only the air in the interior will be used.
How an air conditioner works
The air conditioner operates on the same principle as a refrigerator. The compressor, driven by the engine, compresses the gaseous, environmentally friendly and ozone-depleting gas freon refrigerant R-134a. As a result, the refrigerant heats up and enters the cooler, where it is cooled and liquefied. Through the pressure-reducing valve, the refrigerant is fed to the evaporator, where the resulting liquid again passes into a gaseous state. In this case, it is strongly cooled. Air sucked in from the outside flows around the honeycomb structure of the evaporator and is cooled. The condensate formed from the moisture contained in the air is discharged to the outside.
When the engine is running and the fan is on, cooled air can be supplied to the passenger compartment through the deflectors. The intensity of air cooling in the passenger compartment depends on the set temperature and the speed of rotation of the passenger compartment fan.
Attention! Removal of the air conditioner and evaporator is permitted only if there is no refrigerant in the circulation system. These works should be performed in a workshop.
The air conditioner is equipped with a so-called solar sensor or insolation sensor, which reacts to the intensity of sunlight. The insolation sensor is located in the center of the instrument panel under the windshield. In bright sunlight, the insolation sensor automatically regulates the fan speed via the control unit and, thus, the volume of air supplied to the passenger compartment. Thus, when the air conditioner maintains a set temperature in the car, the intensity of air heating by the sun's rays is taken into account.
Warning! This manual does not provide the procedure for performing repair work on the air conditioner. For safety reasons, repairs to the air conditioner should be entrusted to the appropriate workshop.
Warning! Do not open the air conditioner refrigerant circulation system. Contact with the coolant on the skin causes frostbite. If the refrigerant comes into contact with the skin, rinse the skin with cold water immediately for at least 15 minutes. The refrigerant is colorless, odorless, and heavier than air. If the refrigerant leaks, people in the area of the floor on which the vehicle is installed or in rooms located below the leak may suffocate.
Attention! When performing work in the cabin concerning the air conditioning system, work related to the electrical system will be performed, then it is mandatory to disconnect the terminal of the ground wire (-) from the negative pole of the battery. As work on the electrical system is considered a simple disconnection of a terminal or wire.